Also 7 -clisme. [a. F. cataclysme (16th c. in Littré), ad. Gr. κατακλυσμός deluge (also fig.), f. κατα-κλύζειν to deluge, f. κατά down + κλύζ-ειν to wash, dash as a wave.]
A great and general flood of water, a deluge; esp. the Noachian deluge, the Flood.
In Geology resorted to by some as a hypothesis to account for various phenomena; hence used vaguely for a sudden convulsion or alteration of physical conditions.
1637. Heywood, Roy. Ship, 3. More soules … then perisht in the first Vniversall Cataclisme.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 91. Mankind sinned Malitiously, before God brought the general cataclysme upon them.
1833. Lyell, Princ. Geol., III. 101. For the proofs of these general cataclysms we have searched in vain.
1878. H. M. Stanley, Dark Cont., II. ii. 52. The accumulated waters … will sweep through the ancient gap with the force of a cataclysm.
1879. trans. Haeckel’s Evol. Man, I. iv. 77. The hypothesis usually called the Theory of Cataclysms or Catastrophes.
2. fig.; esp. a political or social upheaval that sweeps away the old order of things.
1633. True Trojans, II. i. in Hazl., Dodsley, XII. 468. Ready to pour down cataclysms of blood.
1633. T. Adams, Exp. 2 Peter ii. 6. Heaven rained on them great cataclysms of flames.
1861. Sat. Rev., 20 July, 67/1. That the Indian army surgeons will be swept away in the general cataclysm.
1882. J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., II. 108. In the general upheaval of doctrine … during the Reformation cataclysm.
